Solid state electrical control for a reversibly movable member

ABSTRACT

A SOLID-STATE CONTROL FOR AN OPERATING INSTRUMENTALITY HAVING A MEMBER MOVABLE THROUGH A SUCCESSION OF OPERATING RANGES, SUCH AS REVERSING IN EACH SUCCESSIVE RANGE, UTILIZING THE MOVABLE MEMBER FOR CONTROLLING BUILDUP OF INDUCTANCE FOR EFFECTING THE CHANGE FROM ONE RANGE TO THE NEXT OF THE MOVABLE MEMBER, THE BUILDUP OF INDUCTANCE IMPOSING A BIAS ON THE SOLID-STATE COMPONENTS, AND THEREBY CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE MOVABLE MEMBER, THE APPARATUS ALSO INCLUDES MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY CONTROLLING THE EXTENT OF BUILDUP FOR UNIT MOVEMENT OF THE MOVABLE MEMBER FOR THEREBY CONTROLLING THE EXTENT OF EACH RANGE.

United States Patent Inventor Arthur K. Littwin 6555 N. Le Mai.Lincolnwood. I. 60645 Appl No. 808,282 Filed Mar. 18, 1969 Patented June28, I971 SOLID STATE ELECTRICAL CONTROL FOR A REVERSIBLY MOVABLE MEMBER8 Chime, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 318/266, 318/282, 318/286, 318/466 H02!) 1/22 318/282, 286, 266.466

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,045,165 7/l962 Littwin .r3 18/286 Primary Examiner-Gris L. Rader Assistant Examiner-K. LY CrossonAttorney-Paul H, Gallagher ABSTRACT: A solid-state control for anoperating instrumentality having a member movable through a successionof operating ranges, such as reversing in each successive range,utilizing the movable member for controlling-buildup of inductance foreffecting the change from one range to the next of the movable member,the buildup of inductance imposing a bias on the solid-state components,and thereby controlling the operation of the movable member; theapparatus also in eludes means for adjustably controlling the extent ofbuildup for unit movement of the movable member for thereby controllingthe extent of each range.

PAIENIED M28197! SHEEI 2 BF 2 uunuuuuuu SOLID STATE ELECTRICAL CONTROLFOR A REVERSIBLY MOVABLE MEMBER OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A broad objectof the invention is to provide solid-state control for a machine havinga movable member, utilizing the movable member for controlling buildupof inductance imposed on the solid state components of the control, forthereby controlling the movement of the movable member itself.

The control apparatus utilizes transistors in effecting the desiredcontrol functions which in the present instance involve the movement ofa movable member as in a machine tool through a succession of movements,which may be successively in reverse directions. Specifically thefunctions are accomplished by imposing buildup of inductance on thetransistors to turn them on or shut them off respectively, as desired,for accomplishing the desired movements of the movable member.

Another broad object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangementof solid-state electrical control which involves an interlock ofelectrical and mechanical features.

Another and more specific object is to provide a control arrangement andcircuit of the foregoing general character, involving solid-statecontrol components, in a novel arrangement whereby longer life of thevarious units and components used in the apparatus is achieved, andwhich requires less maintenance; also in which there is less possibilityof malfunction, together with the further advantages that quickerresponse and operation is achieved, since no warmup time is required,and additionally providing an arrangement which is much more compactthan has been heretofore produced.

An additional and still more specific object is to provide a solid-statecontrol apparatus of the foregoing character which is completelyinterchangeable with a previously known control arrangement which didnot involve solid-state control components, and further in which theinitiating or specifically actuated elements are substantially identicalwith other types of control heretofore utilized whereby to enablesubstitution of a control of the present invention for a control of thecharacter heretofore known that is already installed.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In the drawings:

FIG. I is a diagram of the circuit utilized in the control apparatus ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the application of two output unitsof the apparatus as controlled by the circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but as applied to a mechanical orhydraulic arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a view of a machine representing one form of device to whichthe apparatus may be applied;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing certain control components lifted from thecircuit of FIG. I and arranged mechanically and spatially for thepurpose of illustrating the control movements of the device to becontrolled; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a portion of a circuit, modified relative to thatof FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the circuit of FIG. 1represents substantially the entire electrical apparatus of theinvention. The diagram is provided with border coordinates forfacilitating location of the various components and elements thereof.FIGS. 2-5 represent specific applications of the apparatus to aninstrumentality to be controlled. For example, FIG. 2 includes a pair ofoutput components or units 10, 12 which may be electrical relaysincluding coils 10a, 120 respectively, and corresponding contacts 10band 12b. These relays control the operation of a reversible motor 14 fordriving a work device 16, here represented diagrammatically and whichmay be a grinding wheel (FIG. 4) or other instrumentality. The relays10, 12 are represented in the circuit of FIG. 1, respectively at (A-S,8-5) which constitute the output instrumentalities of that circuit andcontrolled thereby.

The motor 14 and grinding wheel 16 may be embodied in a grinder 18represented in FIG. 4 where the motor operates a reciprocating table 22.The grinder 18 may be as represented in my prior U.S. Pat. No.3,045,165, dated July 17, 1962, to which reference may be had for adescription of the machine and its general type of operation. Thismachine will be referred to again hereinbelow.

FIG. 3 represents the application of the electrical apparatus of theinvention to a hydraulic motor, in which the components 10, 12 may besolenoids and control, in respective phases, a reversing valve 24 forcontrolling the reversing flow of fluid through lines 26 for reversiblyoperating a hydraulic device 28. The hydraulic device 28 and thereversing valve 24 are of known types, and the components 10, 12 areenergized alternately for driving the hydraulic device in correspondingdirections.

Reference is made now to the detail description of the circuit of FIG.1, following which is a description of the specific functions of thecircuit in controlling the output components or units I0, 12. Thecircuit of FIG. 1 includes a line 30 (A-S, 6) for connection with forexample 1 l5 v. AC source. Across the line 30 is a transformer 32 whichincludes a primary 32?.

In the following description the various transformers are indicatedgenerally by simple reference numerals, and the primaries andsecondaries thereof by the same reference numerals with the postscriptsP and S respectively and this applies whether or not they areindividually referred to.

The circuit of FIG. 1 includes basically two portions, or halves,identical or similar and each operative for controlling operation of thefinally controlled member (e.g., motor) in a corresponding sense, suchas a direction of movement; in the present disclosure the apparatus isapplied to a reversibly operating device such as a reciprocating able ina grinding machine as referred to above. Accordingly, at least in part,a description of one portion of the circuit will suffice for both, withexplanation of the relation between the two in their respective phasesof operation of the controlled device.

The circuit includes subcircuits or bias supply circuits 34 (0-7), 36(6-3), respectively associated with the output components 10 (A5), 12(8-5), and including secondaries 3281 (6-8) and 3282 (6-3). Alsoincorporated in the circuit are a traverse control 38 and a remotecontrol 40, the elements thereof being grouped in FIG. 5 according totheir spatial and functional interrelation while distributed in thecircuit of FIG. I according to diagrammatic convenience. In the traversecontrol 38 are a pair of transformers 42, 44 including primaries 42?(6-5), 44? (0-6) and secondaries 42S (F-lO) 44S (F-l Also associatedwith the transformers are corresponding cores 42A, 44A (FIG. 5). Theremote control 40 includes transformers 46. 48, including correspondingprimaries 46F (G-6), 481 (G-fi), secondaries 46S, (I -9), 48S (F-2) andcores 46A, 48A (FIG. 5).

In one form of the invention, (as in a grinder-FIGS. 4 and 5) the cores42A, 44A of the traverse control are mounted on a common beam 50 havingan arm 52 engaging the inclined surface of a taper bar 54 mounted on thereciprocable table 22 of the grinder. As the table reciprocates, the arm52 follows the inclined surface and respectively moves the coresoppositely into and out of the coils of the transformers 42, 44.

The armatures 46A, 48A (FIG. 5) of the remote control 40 are mounted onindividual arms 56, 58 individually and manually controlled and set byknobs 59, 60 for respectively positioning the cores in the correspondingtransformers. The positioning of these cores controls the triggering orthe operation of successive stages in the total operation of the device.Upon reciprocating movements of the table 22 of the grinder (FIG. 4) thecores 42A, A move into or out of the corresponding coils and producecorresponding inductance in the coils, which is counteracted by that ofthe coils of the transformers 46, 48, for consequent control of theoutput components 10, I2 as described below.

The secondary 32S] (F-8) is operative for applying control voltage onthe gate of an SCR 63 (C-6) through conductors 61 and 62 while thesecondary 3282 (F3) is operative for supplying control voltage on thegate of an SCR 66 (15-6), through conductors 64 and 65.

Associated with the SCR 63 is a potentiometer 68 (D-8), manuallyadjustable, and similarly a potentiometer 70 (D-3) is associated withthe SCR 66, the potentiometer 70 also being manually adjustable.

When the SCR 63 (C-6) is turned on it energizes the primary 72? (C-5) ofa transformer 72, while when the SCR 66 is turned on it energizes theprimary 74P (D-S) of a transformer 74. Energization of the primary 72Fcorrespondingly energizes a secondary 728 (C-8), which turns on atransistor 76 (3-8), and the latter turns on a transistor 78 (A-B). Whenthe transistor 78 is turned on, circuit is completed through thesecondary 3283 (A-8), which is in series with a triac 80 (A-6). In acorrelative portion of the circuit. the primary 74? (-5) energizes asecondary 745 (C-3) and this in turn energizes a transistor 82 (8-3) andthereby completes circuit through another triac 85 B-6).

Energization of the triac 80 (A-6 completes a circuit between theprimary 32F (A-5) and another primary 86] (8-5) of a transformer 86.Similarly energization of the triac 85 (8-6) completes a circuit betweenthe primary 32? and another coil 88F (B-S) forming the primary of atransformer 88. The primary 86F energizes a secondary 868 (C-3) whilethe primary 88? energizes a secondary 885 (C-8).

The triac 80 (A-6) when energized completes a circuit through the outputcomponent I0 (A-S) (relay etc.) while energizan'on of the triac 85 (8-6)completes a circuit through the corresponding output component 12 (B-SReference is now made to a practical installation and operation of theapparatus of the invention as in a grinder such as shown in FIG. 4. Forconvenience, a starting point is assumed as shown in that FIG., namely,with the table to the right; in such position the core 42A (FIGS. 4, 5)is in a position projected into the corresponding coils 42?, 428; thebias supplied by the subcircuit 34 (6-7) through the secondary 32SI(F-S), maintains the motor I4 operating in a first direction as to theleft through a circuit and energization as follows: the SCR 63 (C-6), isconducting, primary 72? (C-5) is energized, which in turn energizes 728(C-8), turning on transistor 76 (8-8) and in turn turning on transistor78 (A-8). The transistor 78 completes circuit through secondary 3283(A-8) and the triac 80 (A-6) in series therewith. Energization of thetriac completes a circuit through the main primary 32F, (A-5) andprimary 86? (8-5). The triac 80 upon energization thereof also completesa circuit through the component or unit I0 (A-S) which is in anoperating condition assumed at the beginning of the description of thisphase of the operation. Energization of the primary 86? (5-5) alsoenergizes the secondary 865 (C-3) which applies negative voltage to thetransistor 82 (8-3) and holds the latter off.

However, upon continued movement of the table and consequent movement ofthe core 42A (FIGS. 4 and 5) into the coils 42?, 428, the inductance isovercome by the condition established by the setting of the core 46A,allowing the transistor 76 (8-8) to shut off. Thereupon the inductancein the transformer 44 turns on the transistor 66 (5-6) and energizes thetransformer primary 74?. It also energizes successively the transistors82, 84 and accordingly energizes the triac 85 and consequently theoutput component 12, as well as the primary 88F (B-S). Consequently, themotor reverses and drives the table in the opposite direction, and movesthe core 44A further into the coils 44F, 44S, and the inductance thereofis counteracted by the condition established by the setting of the core48A. Upon the core A being moved into its coils, and progressivelyfurther thereinto, a similar but opposite series of steps are repeatedas just previously described in connection with the first half of thecircuit, as will be appreciated. In this case similarly the triac 85completes the circuit through the main primary 32F (A-5) and the primary88F (B-S and thus the operation is the same as in the other portion ofthe circuit. When the component 12 (8-5) becomes energized, it effectsdriving the motor 14 in the opposite direction, and in the case of thegrinder of FIG. 4 correspondingly driving the table 22 in the oppositedirection, which in the example assumed would be to the left as viewedin FIG. 4. The reverse operations of the table are accomplished in amanner generally similar to that of my prior patent identified above.

The adjustable potentiometers 68 (D-S), 70 (D-3) provide means forassuring that either one portion or the other of the circuit isenergized at all times, i.e., there should be no hiatus between theperiods of effectiveness or operation of the two different components ofthe circuit. The potentiometers 68, 70 are to be appropriately adjustedso as to "overlap, to prevent any such hiatus, each retaining its owntransistor conducting until it is over-influenced by the other.Additionally the arrangement provides an effective interlock preventingeither component from becoming energized while the other is determinedlyenergized; this is effected by the arrangement wherein while thecomponent 10 (A-S) is energized, the coil 86? (A-S) also is energizedand acting through the secondary 865 (C-3) applies negative bias to andholds off the transistor 82 and hence the component 12 (B-S); in asimilar manner, while the component 12 is energized, the coil 88? (8-5)also is energized and acting through the secondary 888 (C-8) appliesnegative voltage to and holds off the transistor 76 and hence thecomponent I0.

As indicated above, associated directly with the transformers 42, 44(FIG. 5) are the transformers 46, 48, and the cores 46A, 48A thereofwhich are individually adjustable into or out of the correspondingcoils. For example if the core 46A is positioned relatively a greaterextent into its coils, the sooner will it counteract the buildup ofinductance by the core 42A by its movement into its coils; in a similarsense depending upon the extent of projection of the core 48A into itscoils 48?, 485, the sooner will be the effective and turnoff biasproduced thereby. The cores 46A, 48A can be individually and manuallyset by manipulating the knobs 59, 60 for controlling the correspondingpositions of those cores, and predetermining the effectiveness of thecores 42A, 44A in their movements through the respective coils. This inturn controls the range, both in extent and bodily position, of thedevice to be controlled, such as the reciprocating table 22 of FIG. 4.

The movement and the operational control of the cores 42A, 44A as wellasthe manually settable cores 46A, 48A is similar to that disclosed in myprior patent referred to above, and attention is directed to that patentfor additional details in connection with the total operation of themachine. An advantage of the present invention is that the physicalarrangement and construction of coils as functionally represented inFIG. 5, is substantially identical with that of that patent, andaccordingly it is possible and convenient to substitute the solid-statecircuit arrangement and construction of the present invention for theelectrical construction heretofore incorporated in a mechanicalcontrivance, such as a grinder, of the kind disclosed in that patent. Inother words the coils 42, 44, 46, 48 of FIG. 5 can be physically andmechanically incorporated in a control arrangement constitutedsubstantially by the circuit disclosed in FIG. I of the presentdisclosure.

As a refinement of the control, it is preferred that transformers 90(C-lO), 92 (C-l be provided, the primaries being at (F-6) and (F-S). Thesecondaries 90 (C-lO), 92 (C-I) are connected in series with thesecondaries of the traverse and remote control coils, as follows, 905(C-IO) with the secondaries 428, 468 and 928 with the secondaries 448,488. The transformers 90, 92 are arranged to provide opposition to theotherwise driving control provided by the circuit, to the final ultimateoutput component 10, 12, so as to provide more immediate and minutecontrol of those components. This arrangement compensates for loss ofvoltage resulting from the change of direction of movement of the cores42A, 44A, and promotes linearity of voltage in the system.

The circuit above disclosed and described in detail, is a completesolidtstate circuit with no moving parts, i.e., in the circuit asrepresented in FIG. 1; the cores shown in FIG. 5 are mounted asmechanical moving members on the mechanical contrivance to becontrolled; the relays l0, 12, in themselves of electrical nature, areconnected with outside instrumentalities, but may include mechanicallymovable members such as cores etc.

The electrical apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1 is totally interchangeablewith previously known types of control apparatus such as disclosed in myprior patent referred to above, in that the coils of the transformers42, 44, 46, 48 utilized in the present invention may be identical withthose represented in my above mentioned patent, and the remainder of thecircuit merely connected with the transformers by simple electricalconnection.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of a circuit modified relative to that of FIG. 1.It is sometimes desired that DC be utilized directly in controlling theoutput components (10, A-5: 12, 8-5) instead of the AC line as in FIG. 1acting through the triacs. Such an arrangement is provided in thecircuit of FIG. 6 where the transformer secondaries 94, 96 replace thetransfonners 3253 (A-8), 3254 (A3), and associated with thesesecondaries are rectifiers 98, 100 in series with the output componentsl0, 12, the output components being driven by the DC thus producedthrough the rectifiers by the transistors 78, 84. The other componentsand elements directly associated with the output components are the sameas in FIG. 1 and so identified.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for controlling the movements of a reciprocable memberincluding an electrical circuit having an AC source. a main transformerconnected with said source, a pair of output components operative forcontrolling means for driving the reciprocable member alternately inopposite directions, a triac associated with each output component,transistor means associated with each triac and operative upon its ownenergization for energizing the triac, a winding for imposing positivebias on the transistor means, a remote control winding in series withthe first winding for imposing negative bias on the transistor means, athird transformer winding forming a secondary of the main transformerfor imposing positive bias on the transistor means and energizing it,traverse transformer means, movable cores associated with the traversetransformer means and controlled by the movements of the reciprocablemember and operative upon cor responding movements thereof forcontrolling the traverse transformer means, said traverse transformermeans being operative for controlling said remote control windings andthereby controlling the energization of the transistor means, and remotecontrol transformer means in series with the traverse transformer means.and manually settable cores in the remote control windings forcounteracting the inductance produced by the latter and correspondinglyterminating the effectiveness of the traverse control transformer.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a control wind ing is arrangedparallel to each output component and is incorporated in transformermeans operative for imposing negative bias on the transistor meansassociated with the opposite direction of movement of the reciprocablemember.

3. Apparatus for controlling the movements of a reciprocable memberincluding an electrically controlled output component for moving thereciprocable member in each direction, a pair of traverse transformersassociated one with each of the directions of movement, a pair of remotecontrol transformers respectively associated with the traversetransformers, first movable cores controlled by the reciprocable memberand operable in corresponding ones of the traverse transformers, secondmovable cores operable in corresponding ones of the remote controltransformers, manually operable means for adjustably moving the secondmovable cores, an AC source, a triac operatively associated with eachoutput component, transistor means associated with each triac and whenenergized operable for energizing the respective triac, the firstmovable cores being operatlve for energizing the respective transistormeans, the second movable cores being operative for counteracting thefirst movable cores and controlling the energization of the respectivetransistor means for thereby controlling the output components in thecorresponding direction of movement of the reciprocal member.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein triac means is interposedbetween each output component and the respective transistor meansarranged for controlling it.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each output component is inseries with a component of the corresponding transistor means and isenergized directly in response to the energization of the correspondingtransistor means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 and including means operative, wheneach transistor means is energized, for deenergizing the opposedcorresponding transistor means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means for energizing thetransistor means includes windings for providing positive bias on thetransistor means for energizing it, and operative simultaneouslytherewith for imposing negative bias on the opposite transistor meansfor deenergizing it,

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the negative bias on theopposite transistor means, in each instance, is prolonged beyond thepoint at which the positive bias on the first mentioned transistor meansis terminated whereby to eliminate all hiatus between the energizationof the first transistor means and the energization of the secondtransistor means.

